Min Aung Hlaing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Min Aung Hlaing
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မင်းအောင်လှိုင်
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Min Aung Hlaing in 2025
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| Chairman of the State Administration Council | |
| Assumed office 2 February 2021 |
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| President | Myint Swe (acting) Himself (acting) |
| Deputy | Soe Win (general) |
| Preceded by | Aung San Suu Kyi (as State Counsellor) |
| Acting President of Myanmar | |
| Assumed office 22 July 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Vice President | Myint Swe |
| Preceded by | Myint Swe (acting) |
| 12th Prime Minister of Myanmar | |
| Assumed office 1 August 2021 |
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| President | Myint Swe (acting) Himself (acting) |
| Deputy |
See list
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| Preceded by | Thein Sein (2011) |
| Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services | |
| Assumed office 30 March 2011 |
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| President | Thein Sein Htin Kyaw Myint Swe (acting) Win Myint Myint Swe (acting) Himself (acting) |
| State Counsellor | Aung San Suu Kyi |
| Deputy | Soe Win (general) |
| Preceded by | Than Shwe |
| Joint Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces | |
| In office June 2010 – 30 March 2011 |
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| Commander-in-Chief | Than Shwe |
| Preceded by | Shwe Mann |
| Succeeded by | Hla Htay Win |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 July 1956 Minbu, Magway Region, Burma (now Myanmar) |
| Citizenship | Burmese |
| Spouse | Kyu Kyu Hla |
| Children | Multiple, including: Aung Pyae Sone Khin Thiri Thet Mon |
| Education | Rangoon Arts and Sciences University (LLB) Defence Services Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Tatmadaw |
| Branch/service |  Myanmar Army |
| Years of service | 1974–present |
| Rank |  Senior General |
| Battles/wars | Internal conflict in Myanmar
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Min Aung Hlaing (born 3 July 1956) is a military officer who leads Myanmar. He became the chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) after taking power in a military takeover in February 2021. He also became the Prime Minister of Myanmar in August 2021 and took on presidential duties in July 2024.
Min Aung Hlaing has been the Commander-in-chief of Defence Services for the Tatmadaw (Myanmar's armed forces) since March 2011. He was chosen for this role by the previous military leader, Than Shwe. Before that, he was the Joint Chief of Staff from 2010 to 2011. He is the first graduate of the Defence Services Academy (DSA) to lead a military coup and become Commander-in-Chief.
He studied law before joining the military. He rose through the ranks to become a senior general by 2013. During the time Myanmar had a civilian government (2011-2021), Min Aung Hlaing worked to keep the military strong in politics. He also slowed down efforts to make peace with different ethnic groups.
After the 2020 Myanmar general election, Min Aung Hlaing claimed there were many problems with the voting. He then took power in the 2021 coup. This led to large protests and an ongoing civil war. His forces have used harsh tactics, including airstrikes on civilians. He also ordered the execution of people who supported democracy. In February 2024, he started drafting young people into the military.
Because of his actions, many countries have placed international sanctions on him and his government. Myanmar is now seen as a pariah state by many.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Min Aung Hlaing was born on 3 July 1956 in Minbu, Magway Region, which is now part of Myanmar. His parents, Khin Hlaing and Hla Mu, were teachers. He was the fourth of their five children. When he was five, his family moved to Mandalay. His father was an artist.
He finished his high school exams in 1972 in Yangon. He then studied law at the University of Yangon from 1973 to 1974. After trying three times, he was accepted into the Defence Services Academy in 1974 and graduated in 1977. His classmates said he was quiet and not very noticeable. He was known for being reserved.
Even though he was quiet, his time at the Defence Services Academy was important for his military career. He was disciplined and focused on his studies and training. He became known for being organized and serious about military life. This period helped shape his future leadership style.
After graduating, he became a lieutenant and started serving in Myanmar's military. His ability to focus and stay calm helped him move up in his career. His training gave him a strong base in military discipline and strategy.
Military Career
After graduating, Min Aung Hlaing slowly moved up in the military. Early in his career, some colleagues gave him a nickname that suggested he was quiet but had a strong impact. As he gained rank, he became known for being a strict leader. He earned the trust of Senior General Than Shwe.
In 2002, he became the commander of the Triangle Regional Military Command in eastern Shan State. He was involved in talks with two rebel groups there. He was also said to be close with former Thai prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda.
Min Aung Hlaing supported the military's actions during the Saffron Revolution in 2008. He became more well-known in 2009 after leading a fight against a rebel group in Kokang. In June 2010, he became the Joint Chief of Staff for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
This position gave him more power within Myanmar's military. He worked to keep the military strong in the country's government. He often supported strict military plans and policies. He believed the military should lead during national problems and did not support democratic changes. He also preferred military action over peaceful talks with ethnic groups.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services in 2011, Min Aung Hlaing had a lot of experience. He was known for his serious approach to military discipline. His leadership was important as Myanmar faced calls for change. He made sure the Tatmadaw remained a powerful force in Myanmar's government.
His influence grew beyond just the military. He played a key role in shaping Myanmar's political future. He made sure that any efforts for reform stayed under the military's control. By the peak of his career, he was one of the most powerful people in Myanmar's recent history. His actions continue to shape Myanmar's political situation.
On 31 January 2025, Min Aung Hlaing extended the state of emergency for another six months. This decision came four years after the military took over. It also delayed elections that had been promised for 2025. He said that peace and stability were needed before elections could happen.
As a Junior Officer
Min Aung Hlaing graduated from the Defence Services Academy (DSA) in 1977. He was first sent to a Light Infantry Battalion. Former President of Myanmar Thein Sein was also in this battalion.
In 1979, he was an Intelligence Officer during a military operation against the Communist Party of Burma. He was a Lieutenant at 23 years old.
In 1989, as a Captain, Min Aung Hlaing took part in the Battle of Kawmoora. This was a fight between the army and the Karen National Union (KNU). The military tried many times to capture the base but failed.
Min Aung Hlaing carried a small Buddha statue in his map bag during battles. He hoped it would protect him from harm. Even though he told younger officers to be brave, he did not often lead direct attacks. His early years showed a careful approach to combat.
His early service helped him understand how the military worked. He developed leadership and management skills, often working behind the scenes. He also started to build connections with important figures in the military. These early experiences shaped his view on keeping discipline and protecting the military's interests.
As a Battalion Commander
Min Aung Hlaing was a Major and led the No. (369) Light Infantry Battalion. During this time, he put the pregnant wife of a soldier in prison because her husband had left the battalion.
Another officer, Colonel Kyaw Thu, found the woman in prison. He told Min Aung Hlaing that it was wrong to arrest the wife for her husband's actions. The woman was released because of Colonel Kyaw Thu. This event showed Min Aung Hlaing's strict way of handling things.
As DSA Rector
Min Aung Hlaing was the head of the Defence Services Academy (DSA). During his time there, he was involved in an incident with the 8-year-old grandson of Senior General Than Shwe. The grandson visited the academy and asked Min Aung Hlaing to organize a football match. Min Aung Hlaing stopped the cadets' training to arrange the game. He was very concerned about the grandson's comfort during the match.
Min Aung Hlaing was known for being very strict about military rules. He reported several coaches and cadets for small mistakes, like not wearing helmets. These actions were seen as ways for him to get promoted to Major General. Because of his reports, many officers and cadets faced problems in their careers.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Military Rule and Reforms (2011–2015)
Around 2011, the military started making changes to move Myanmar towards a civilian government. The ruling military council held an election in 2010, which was won by the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a party linked to the military. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe chose Min Aung Hlaing to be the new Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
Min Aung Hlaing's appointment happened as the USDP came to power. He oversaw military changes and supported the USDP government's efforts to make peace deals with different ethnic armed groups.
In November 2011, Min Aung Hlaing met with Chinese military officials. It was believed he discussed cooperation with China regarding the Kachin Conflict.
On 27 March 2012, Min Aung Hlaing spoke in Naypyidaw and defended the military's role in national politics. On 3 April 2012, he was promoted to vice-senior general. In March 2013, he became a senior general, the highest rank in Myanmar's armed forces.
In 2014, as Min Aung Hlaing neared the age of 60 (the usual retirement age for officers), the military allowed him to stay until he was 65, in 2021.
In August 2015, the USDP had internal problems. President Thein Sein removed a group led by Shwe Mann, a former general. Min Aung Hlaing oversaw the military's direct involvement to remove Shwe Mann. This showed the military wanted to keep its influence. Shwe Mann had tried to pass laws that would reduce the military's power.
Civilian Government and Military Actions (2016–2020)
In the 2015 Myanmar general election, the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won by a lot. With the NLD in power, Min Aung Hlaing focused on getting state power back for the military. His unwillingness to work with the civilian government slowed down the Myanmar peace process.
As the NLD took over, Min Aung Hlaing increased military actions against the Rohingya, starting in October 2016. In August 2020, he warned the NLD not to blame the military for the ongoing ethnic conflicts.
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Min Aung Hlaing also started showing interest in civilian politics. He began to act more like a statesman and spoke more about the military's role. Before the 2020 Myanmar general election, he worked with the USDP to try and become the next President. In 2019, he made public appearances at religious sites and charity events, which made people wonder about his political goals. He also created two Facebook pages to connect with the public. In January 2020, he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
During this time, fighting with the Arakan Army became more intense. The military was accused of harming civilians and their property. In March 2019, a politician wrote an open letter to Min Aung Hlaing about human rights problems in Rakhine State.
Recent Events (2020–present)
In February 2020, Min Aung Hlaing and his wife placed a special umbrella, called a "Hti", on an ancient temple in Bagan. The temple's name means "need the royal umbrella, need the King." Many people believed this ceremony was a way to seek good fortune for his future.
In November 2020, Min Aung Hlaing publicly questioned the fairness of the upcoming 2020 Myanmar general election. On 5 November, the military said his rank was equal to the Vice President of Myanmar. After voting, he said he would accept the election results. However, the NLD won by an even larger margin than in 2015, which affected Min Aung Hlaing's political plans.
The military then started claiming there was widespread electoral fraud. On 27 January 2021, Min Aung Hlaing said he might not rule out a coup d'état if the voting problems were not fixed. These comments caused concern about a possible military takeover. The next day, the election commission said there was no evidence of fraud. On 29 January, the military said it would follow the constitution.
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On 1 February 2021, Min Aung Hlaing detained elected leaders, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. He declared himself Commander-in-chief of Myanmar. The next day, he created the State Administration Council (SAC) to rule the country temporarily.
On 22 May 2021, Min Aung Hlaing gave his first interview since the coup. He said Aung San Suu Kyi was healthy and would face trial soon. On 1 August 2021, six months after the coup, Min Aung Hlaing formed a temporary government and became the country's prime minister. He also remained the Chairman of the SAC.
In April 2023, Min Aung Hlaing was included in Time magazine's list of the "100 Most Influential People of 2023."
Myanmar Civil War
After four people who supported democracy were executed on 24 July 2022, leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Western countries spoke out against the executions. On 7 September 2022, Min Aung Hlaing met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia. This was their first meeting since the 2021 coup.
Min Aung Hlaing visited Moscow again on 3 March 2025. During this visit, they signed agreements on nuclear energy, space, trade, and education. They also agreed to build a small nuclear power plant in Myanmar.
In January 2023, Min Aung Hlaing put in place a new electoral law that many believed was designed to help the USDP win the next election. He was seen as a likely candidate for President if the USDP won enough seats.
Min Aung Hlaing did not give up his emergency powers when they were supposed to end on 1 February 2023. This further delayed new elections.
In March 2023, Min Aung Hlaing appeared at the Armed Forces Day parade. He said his government would continue to fight against resistance groups and their "acts of terror." He called his critics supporters of terrorism.
Starting in January 2024, some people who supported the military criticized Min Aung Hlaing. This happened after the Tatmadaw lost several battles. In February 2024, to get more soldiers, Min Aung Hlaing started using Myanmar's 1959 conscription law for the first time. This law requires young men and women to serve in the military.
In March 2024, Min Aung Hlaing claimed that young people were being tricked into supporting the resistance. He also accused "some powerful nations" of trying to interfere in Myanmar's affairs.
On 14 April 2024, Min Aung Hlaing escaped a rocket attack while attending a New Year festival. In June 2024, reports from the military said that resistance groups in Yangon tried to assassinate him.
On 22 July 2024, Min Aung Hlaing became acting President after Myint Swe took medical leave.
In January 2025, ASEAN decided to continue banning Min Aung Hlaing from its meetings. On 31 January 2025, Myanmar’s military extended the state of emergency for another six months. Min Aung Hlaing said stability was still needed before elections could be held.
On 27 March 2025, during the 80th anniversary of Myanmar Armed Forces Day, Min Aung Hlaing said a general election would be held by the end of the year. He promised the military would hand over power to the winning party.
After an earthquake on 28 March 2025, Min Aung Hlaing invited other countries and groups to help Myanmar. On 3 April, he visited Thailand for a summit.
Family and Business Interests
Min Aung Hlaing has faced questions about his family's business dealings. He owns a large number of shares in the army-owned Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL). He is also part of the group that runs this large company.
His son, Aung Pyae Sone, owns several companies, including a construction company and an insurance company. He also has a major share in Mytel, a phone company. In 2013, his son received a special government permit for a long-term lease on land for a restaurant and art gallery. This happened after his father became Commander-in-Chief. His son also runs a company that helps with approvals for medicines and medical devices.
His daughter, Khin Thiri Thet Mon, started a film studio called 7th Sense Creation in 2017. His daughter-in-law also started an entertainment company that same year.
Rohingya Situation
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has reported that Min Aung Hlaing's soldiers have targeted civilians in northern Myanmar. They have also been accused of serious human rights problems against minority communities in Rakhine State. He has been accused of actions against the Rohingya people that some call ethnic cleansing. These actions could be considered very serious crimes against humanity.
In 2018, a UN investigation found that Min Aung Hlaing and other military leaders oversaw terrible actions against the Rohingya and other groups. The UN panel said that Min Aung Hlaing and four other commanders should be investigated for these actions.
Facebook banned Min Aung Hlaing from its platform, along with other officials, to prevent more ethnic and religious tensions. This happened after the UN report. Twitter also banned him in May 2019.
The United States has placed sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing. In July 2019, he was banned from traveling to the US. In December 2020, the US froze his assets there and made it illegal for US citizens to do business with him.
Arrest Warrant Request
In November 2024, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) asked for an arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing. The prosecutor stated there were reasons to believe he was responsible for crimes against humanity related to the Rohingya situation.
On 14 February 2025, a court in Argentina issued arrest warrants for Min Aung Hlaing and other Myanmar officials. This was based on charges of "genocide and crimes against humanity" against the Rohingya people. Myanmar's military spokesperson rejected this ruling, calling it "baseless."
Sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has placed sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing since December 2019. These sanctions are for serious human rights abuses and corruption. They include freezing his assets in the US and banning transactions with him. In 2022, he was also sanctioned because of the 2021 coup. Some companies linked to him were also sanctioned.
The Government of Canada has also placed sanctions on him since February 2021. These sanctions are due to the serious human rights situation in Myanmar. They include freezing assets and banning transactions with Canadian people.
The HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom have sanctioned him since February 2021. This is for his role in human rights violations in Myanmar. The UK sanctions include freezing his assets in the UK and banning him from traveling there.
The Council of the European Union has also placed sanctions on him since March 2021. This is for his role in the 2021 coup and the military's actions against peaceful protesters. The EU sanctions include freezing his assets and banning him from entering or traveling through EU countries.
Personal Life
Min Aung Hlaing married Kyu Kyu Hla, a retired lecturer, in 1980. They have several children, including a son named Aung Pyae Sone and a daughter named Khin Thiri Thet Mon.
Promotions
Major General – 2008/2009
Lieutenant General – Late 2009
General – Early 2011
Vice-Senior General – Early 2012
Senior General – March 2013
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Awards and Decorations
Domestic Honors
On 17 April 2022, Min Aung Hlaing gave himself Myanmar's two highest titles: the Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma and the Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu.
In October 2019, the Young Men's Buddhist Association (YMBA) gave him the title of Mingaladhamma Zawtika Dhaza. In December 2020, YMBA gave him another title, Thado Thiri Agga Maha Mingalar Zawtika.
Foreign Honors
- 2013 –
Thailand: 
The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, Knight Grand Cross (1st Class), Thailand - 2018 –
Malaysia: 
The Most Gallant Order of Military Service, Gallant Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces (Darjah Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera), Honorary Malaysian Armed Forces Order for Valor (1st Degree), Malaysia. - 2018 – Thailand:
The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, Knight Grand Cross (1st Class), Thailand - 2020 –
Russia: 
Medal "For strengthening the military commonwealth" (Ministry of Defense, Russia) - 2020 – Russia:
Badge of Honor of FSMTC "For the Merits in the Field of Military-Technical Cooperation" - 2023 – Russia:
The Order of Alexander Nevsky for "his valuable endeavours to develop multi-sectoral cooperation with the Russian Federation"
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See also
In Spanish: Min Aung Hlaing para niños
